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  1. Home
  2. Information for British citizens

Information for British citizens

The details of entry and stay in Iceland for British citizens and their family members are still being worked on, therefore this page will be updated regularly.


In December 2018, Iceland and the other EEA/EFTA States announced they had reached an agreement with the UK on protecting citizens’ rights and resolving separation issues arising from the UK’s exit from the EU. The Separation Agreement largely mirrors the Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK. 

Under Part Two of the Separation Agreement, British citizens and their family members will, subject to certain conditions, be able to continue to live and work in Iceland after the end of the transition period, if they were legally residing in Iceland, in accordance with the EU’s Free Movement Directive, before the end of the transition period.

The end of the transition period is 31 December 2020.

British citizens in Iceland will retain the right to family reunification that they have under current EEA legislation, provided that the family relationship is established before the end of the transition period, by 31 December 2020. This also applies to children born or adopted after the end of the transition period.

British citizens and their family members who want to live or work in Iceland after the end of the transition period will be subject to the same rules as non-EEA/EU citizens, as set out in the Icelandic Act on Foreigners.

BRITISH CITIZENS LIVING IN ICELAND

BRITISH CITIZENS WHO WANT TO MOVE OR TRAVEL TO ICELAND


BRITISH CITIZENS LIVING IN ICELAND

Entry to Iceland

I have the right to reside in Iceland. How can I document that I am a resident of Iceland for the purpose of travelling back to Iceland after 1 January 2021?

Until Icelandic authorities start issuing a residence permit card for British citizens with the right to reside in Iceland prior to 1 January 2021, you can document your right of residence in Iceland with a Residence certificate (C-122) issued by Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá). 

How do I apply for a Residence certificate and how much does it cost?

If you have an electronic ID, you can apply for the Residence certificate electronically through island.is. When processed the electronic certificate will be available in the island.is postbox of the person named in the certificate, except when parents or legal guardians order certificates for children, they will be available in the postbox of the person who ordered the certificate.

The processing time for certificates is generally up to two days. Therefore, it is important not to wait too long before ordering a Residence certificate.

If you cannot order the certificate electronically, you need to contact Registers Iceland and make an appointment to pick up the certificate.

I already have a right of residence in Iceland. Will I have to apply for a visa to travel to other countries in the EU/EEA after the end of the transition period?

No. British citizens will not require a visa for a short stay visit to Iceland or other countries in the Schengen area after the end of the transition period. They will be allowed to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days during any period of 180 days.

Residence in Iceland

I already have a right of residence in Iceland. What will my status be once the transition period is over?

If you have registered your right of residence at Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá Íslands) before the end of the transition period (31 December 2020), you will not need to meet any new requirements in order to retain your right of residence.

Iceland will be issuing a residence permit card for British citizens who live in Iceland or move to Iceland before the end of the transition period that you can apply for. The application procedure for the residence permit card is being prepared and due to be introduced in January 2021.

If you have not yet registered your right of residence in Iceland with Registers Iceland, you will have to provide proof that you moved to Iceland before the end of the transition period and that you qualify for residence under the EU Free Movement Directive.

I already have a right of residence in Iceland. Will my spouse be able to move to Iceland after the end of the transition period?

If you are a British citizen residing in Iceland and have registered your right of residence in Iceland with Registers Iceland before the end of the transition period, your spouse will still be able to apply for family reunification under the current rules for EU/EEA citizens, if you were married before the transition period ends (31 December 2020).

This is included in the Separation Agreement signed by the UK and the EEA/EFTA states.

I am residing in Iceland with my spouse and we are planning to have a child. If our child isn’t born before the end of the transition period, will he/she be entitled to residence in Iceland?

Yes, children who are born or adopted after the transition period ends (31 December 2020) will also be covered by the Separation Agreement.

I already have a right of residence in Iceland. Do I need a residence permit card if I do not intend to travel?

From 1 January 2021, British citizens will need to apply for a residence and work permit to have the right to live and work in Iceland.

A residence permit card confirms that you already have this right; that your stay in Iceland is legal and that you are allowed to work here. It can therefore be a good idea to have a residence permit card to demonstrate your right to reside and work in Iceland.

I am a frontier worker, what do I need to do to secure my status?

If you are a worker who is employed in Iceland, since before 31 December 2020, and returns each day or at least once a week to Britain, and you do not have a registered domicile in Iceland, you will need to contact the Directorate of Immigration for registration.

Icelandic citizenship

Icelandic citizenship for British citizens

The processing of applications for Icelandic citizenship for British citizens will not be affected by Brexit. The Directorate of Immigration processes applications for Icelandic citizenship in the order in which they are received. There will be no special priority scheme for applications from British citizens.

You can check the processing time for applications for Icelandic citizenship here.

Find out more about the rules for Icelandic citizenship here.


British citizens who want to Move or travel to Iceland

Entry to Iceland

Will I have to apply for a visa to travel to Iceland after 1 January 2021?

No. British citizens will not require a visa for a short stay visit to Iceland or other countries in the Schengen area after the end of the transition period. They will be allowed to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days during any period of 180 days.

Please note that as long as Iceland has travel restrictions due to Covid-19 British citizens will be subject to the same entry requirements as other third country nationals. 

Residence in Iceland

I want to move to Iceland before the end of the transition period. What do I have to do to ensure that I have right of residence in Iceland?

Until the end of the transition period (31 December 2020), British citizens will be treated in the same way as EU/EEA citizens, in accordance with the Free Movement Directive. If you want to work or live in Iceland for more than three months, you are required to register your right of residence with Registers Iceland.

We recommend that you register as soon as possible after your arrival in Iceland.

I am a British citizen and I want to move to Iceland after the end of the transition period. Which rules will apply then?

After the end of the transition period (31 December 2020) you will be treated according to the rules that apply to citizens of countries outside the EEA/EU (third country nationals). This means that British citizens who want to move to Iceland for work, study or to live with family members will need to fulfil the requirements for being granted a residence permit.

Please familiarize yourself with the basic requirements for a residence permit in Iceland as well as the specific requirements for the different types of residence permits.

Work in Iceland

I am a British citizen and I want to work in Iceland for less than three months after 1 January 2021, am I allowed to do that without applying for a residence and work permit?

Only if you fall under one of the exemptions from the work permit requirement due to short-term projects. Please familiarize yourself with the information on such exemptions on the website of the Directorate of Labour.

Will I still be able to reside and take up work in other EU/EEA states?

The right of free movement for British citizens will end at the end of the transition period (31 December 2020). The right of residence and employment in other EU/EEA states will depend on the rules in these states and on their future relationship with the UK.
 

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Links

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Location

Directorate of Immigration | Dalvegur 18 | 201 Kópavogur | +354 444 0900 | utl@utl.is

Kt. 670269-6399 | Rkn. 0515-26-410424

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